Much has been written and said about the Columbus Blue Jackets late season run in 2013 going 19-5-5 down the stretch. It was a testament to the fortitude of the club. A large part of that stretch run was helped along with players that were called up from the club’s American Hockey League affiliate the Springfield Falcons.

To say that both clubs were and are on the same “sheet of music” would be an understatement. The transition for players that were called up was virtually seamless. Players such as Dalton Prout David Savard Cody Goloubef and more made an impact by fitting in from the moment they stepped on the ice. The philosophy and culture of both teams is highly intertwined.

“It’s absolutely organizational” he said. “Our amateur scouts who are out finding these draft picks that we sign. It’s our pro scouts our NHL coaches and AHL coaches. It’s Chris Clark (Blue Jackets Development Coach) who works with these kids from the time that they’re drafted. The success goes to everybody in the organization.”

With training camp set to start for the Falcons on Monday 17 players were reassigned from the Blue Jackets on Thursday to Springfield. Among those sent down was center Johnathan Audy-Marchessault. He was called up for 2 games for Columbus last season and tallied 21-46-67 in 74 games for the Falcons. He has improved his game and hopes to be called up once again.

“Down there (Springfield) we’re playing the same system as here (Columbus)” said Marchessault. “I think it makes it easier for the guys that are getting called up. You saw when Cam (Atkinson) (Matt) Calvert and all those guys came up that they did really good here. Down there they’re preparing guys for the NHL level. Hopefully I can jump into that group.”

“Last year I was only here for five days and played two games” he said. “Obviously it gives you more experience. So I think it was a good thing that I came up last year. I know the environment and I know everybody a little bit better now.”

Call-ups and being sent down are a fact of life in the NHL whether due to injuries sustained or unforeseen circumstances. Having a strong relationship with your AHL affiliate is paramount to being successful. Columbus has ushered in the “Brick-by-Brick” era under President of Hockey Operations John Davidson. This philosophy permeates the organization from top to bottom. Stability also plays a large role in success